WHITE Hart’s two teams in the Heart of England Thursday Leagues both recorded opening night victories last week.
The A team impressively won 142-133 at Black Horse A in Division One with wins for Mick Perrins (21-10), Paul Matthews (21-12), Sheila Humphreys (21-12) and Ray Richards (21-15), while the B team got the better of visitors Solihull Marsh Lane 148-120.
Their five winners were Tony Sugden (21-3), captain Norman Batchelor (21-14), Brian Chatterley (21-8), Gill Croft (21-12) and Anne Batchelor (21-20).
The opening night of the Yardley Wood Super League saw White Hart narrowly defeat visitors Bournville Sports A 138-129 in Division Three.
Angela Irwin was making her team debut for the club and recorded an impressive 21-5 scoreline, which was followed by wins for Kirk Wright (21-9), Gill Croft (21-14), and Neil Laxton who came from behind to defeat a formidable opponent in Ray Pickering 21-17.
In the SW Birmingam Over 60s League there was an exciting finish to White Hart’s Division One match at home to Acocks Green College.
Ian Humphreys (21-14) and Norman Batchelor (21-7) had played their part along with Tony Sugden (20-21) in setting up a a finely balanced finale between Hart’s Ray Richards and Ken Perkins, who finally gained the upper hand 21-20 to give the visitors a single-shot victory at 105-104.
Meanwhile, the B team were comfortable 112-89 winners at Weoley Hill B in Division Four. Mick Perrins was merciless in a 21-0 whitewash and was well supported by Roger Broome (21-20), Anne Batchelor (21-11) and Sheila Humphreys (21-16).
In the Heart of England Cup matches both White Hart teams marched into the second round as the A team completely outclassed Co-Op C 126-31 while the B team proved too strong for British Oak.
In Warwickshire and Worcestershire Premier League Division Five, White Hart were defeated 232-191 at Warstock and had four winning scores from Sheila Humphreys (21-15), Sue Sugden (21-19), Stuart Rice (21-14) and Mike Estell (21-16).
